NEW ORLEANS – The Aline Underhill Orten Foundation recently awarded a $5,000 grant to Early Learning Focus to support the expansion of its LETS Read Literacy Bag Program, which is based at the Homer A. Plessy Community School at 721 St. Philip St. in the French Quarter.
The program utilizes a library of literacy learning materials for New Orleans children in pre-K through first grade and includes professional development for teachers and workshops for families. The contents of the bags act as, or supplement, traditional “homework” and provide not only practice in important literacy skills and concepts for young students, but also guides parents in helping their children learn at home and thrive in school.
The program operates at Plessy and two partner childcare centers: Wilcox Academy of Early Learning and Open Minds, Open Hearts. It is being expanded to include Spanish-language books and to be used in after-school programming and other community-based educational programs.
Early Learning Focus believes that high-quality early childhood development and education provides the critical foundation for school success, reps said.
